Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Bonolo Khumotaka’s resignation last week chalked a 100% turnover in President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s line up of permanent who took him past the 2019 General elections, suggesting Botswana’s worst government instability ever.
Khumotaka who resigned claiming she did not want to be a part of corruption was the last Permanent Secretary from the cadre of Masisi’s senior most civil servants who helped him win the October 2019 General Elections.
In three years, Masisi’s civil service revolving door has spewed all Permanent Secretaries who were part of his 2019 A-team.
Khumotaka was appointed permanent secretary on 7th May 2019 a few months before the general elections, replacing Thatayaone Dedede. She was last week demoted to GICO following tender award infightings at the government enclave involving Khato Civils.
Ironically, Dedede who was among the first appointments by President Masisi to the position of PS four days after ascending to the presidency on April 1 was also demoted by the then Permanent Secretary to the President Carter Morupisi following a controversial water tender involving Khato Civils.
Morupisi who was the senior most permanent secretary from the core of Masisi’s permanent secretaries before the October 2019 General Elections was fired in 2021 and replaced by Elias Magosi who has since resigned to join the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Executive Secretary.
Ruth Maphorisa who was transferred to Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Wellness four days after Masisi became president was replaced by Kabelo Ebineng on June 2020. Ten months later on April 2021, Ebineng was demoted to the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration as Deputy Coordinator, Government Implementation and Coordination Office. She was replaced by Grace Muzila.
Thuso Ramodimoosi who was appointed on promotion to the position of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration four days after Masisi ascended to the presidency was later replaced by Pearl Ramokoka on 15th April 2021.
Dr. Colley Monkge who was appointed to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education a few days after Masisi was sworn in as president was fired on September 2018 after only five months in the position.
Kebonye Kgabele Moepeng who was transferred as Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs on 5th April 2018 has also been dropped as PS.
Thato Raphaka who was transferred as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism on the same date was demoted to the National Strategy Office as Deputy Director General within the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration on 15th April 2021.
Jimmy Opelo who was among Masisi’s picks as Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security going into the 2019 elections was fired in 2021.
Another of Masisi’s A-Team member Cornelius Kerrel Dekop who the president re-deployed to the position of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security resigned from the civil service.
Dr Themba Mmusi who was appointed on promotion as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development with effect from July 1, 2020 was demoted to Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Green Technology and Energy Security.
Kgomotso Abi who was also part of Masisi’s A-Team going to the 2019 elections as Permanent Secretary to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security was demoted to the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration as Coordinator of Public Service Reforms in April 2021. He was replaced by Ellen Richard-Madisa.
